HS Code for Aircraft Parts

Parts of aircraft point toward heading 8807 of the HTSUS, the dedicated provision for parts of the goods of headings 8801, 8802 and 8806 (balloons, airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aircraft). The subheading usually turns on which kind of part it is: propellers and rotors and their parts point toward 8807.10, parts of unmanned aircraft toward 8807.20, and other parts of airplanes or helicopters toward 8807.30. Across these lines the general duty rate is Free. Identifying the specific type of part, and the kind of aircraft it belongs to, is the first step in exploring the most appropriate subheading.

Parts of aircraft have a dedicated home in heading 8807, which covers parts of the goods of headings 8801 (balloons and gliders), 8802 (powered airplanes, helicopters and spacecraft) and 8806 (unmanned aircraft). Rather than a single catch-all line, the heading is organized by the type of part, so the starting point is identifying what the part actually is.

The first branch is by part type. Propellers, rotors and parts thereof point toward subheading 8807.10. Parts that belong specifically to unmanned aircraft (undercarriages and similar items) point toward 8807.20. Other parts of airplanes or helicopters that are not propellers, rotors or unmanned-aircraft parts point toward the residual 8807.30 provision.

A useful distinction is the difference between a part that is provided for in heading 8807 and a part that is really a self-contained article classified in its own heading. Many items fitted to an aircraft are not "parts of aircraft" at all; an engine points toward chapter 84, electrical apparatus and instruments toward chapter 85 or 90, tires toward chapter 40, and standard fasteners toward chapter 73. Heading 8807 is for parts that are identifiable as parts of the aircraft itself and are not more specifically covered elsewhere.

A practical way to approach it is to confirm first that the item is an aircraft part rather than a complete article named in another chapter, then identify whether it is a propeller or rotor part, an unmanned-aircraft part, or another airplane or helicopter part. That sequence usually points toward a single most-appropriate subheading within 8807 to explore, and it avoids reaching for the general machinery, electrical or base-metal headings when the specific aircraft-parts provision applies.

The general duty rate across the aircraft-parts lines in heading 8807 is Free, covering propellers and rotors, parts of unmanned aircraft, and other parts of airplanes and helicopters. Because these lines already enter at Free, the main reason to identify the right subheading is arriving at a better classification suggestion rather than a change in estimated duty. Note that items fitted to an aircraft but classified in other chapters (engines, instruments, tires, fasteners) may carry their own rates, so confirming that a part belongs in 8807 is worthwhile. Preferential rates under free trade agreements may also apply for qualifying origins. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.